The deal builds on a partnership that the companies announced in December 2020 to develop a coating and surface treatment that ensures paper and board items, such as single-use coffee cups, are home and industrially compostable, as well as biodegradable in soil and water environments.

The firms have since developed a coating material using Danimer’s biopolymer PHA, which is produced from vegetable oils and offers a biodegradable alternative to fossil-based plastics. The PHA-based aqueous barrier coatings can replace PE and also provide a viable replacement for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment. PFAS chemicals are increasingly being phased out in food packaging because of potential health risks associated with their use.

“This expansion of our partnership with Kemira represents several important milestones in Danimer’s mission to reduce plastic waste,” said Stephen Croskrey, chairman and CEO of Danimer Scientific. “First, this successful project reflects the potential for PHA to serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic across multiple categories. Second, this new license and supply agreement establishes a new revenue stream that will further support the global commercialization of this material.”

The companies will introduce the coatings for food and beverage applications within Europe, Middle East, Africa, North and South America in the coming years.nKemira said the relevant dispersion barrier market is worth about €500 million currently and is forecast to grow at around 10% per year.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist